Greater Atlanta Christian linebacker Blake Southerland, who has committed to Vanderbilt, plans to make two visits to Nashville. Southerland will visit Oct. 4 when the Commodores play Auburn and again on Nov. 22 for the Tennessee game.
Southerland, who is on the AJC’s The Georgia 150 list, has been getting interest from the University of Georgia as well, although the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker admitted the Bullodgs weren’t offering a scholarship.
“I’m pretty much set on Vanderbilt,” Southerland said. “I haven’t been up [to Vanderbilt] lately. [The last time was] the second week in July, a week after I committed.”

Most of the state’s elite senior players have made their college commitments, and many of the best juniors are beginning to get offers. Here are six of the top juniors who will be part of the signing class of 2010:
DT Denzel McCoy, Northview: This 6-4, 275-pound lineman is a key target for Georgia Tech and Georgia. He’s got a dozen offers. He’s comparable to former teammate Cordian Hagans, an AJC Super 11 now at LSU, but is more suited to the interior.
WR Markeith Ambles, Henry County: Could Henry County have the best receiver prospect two years in a row? Teammate Ambles is the teammate of AJC Super 11 player Jamal Patterson, who has committed to Stanford. Ambles, a 6-1, 185-pounder, has offers from a dozen schools and has visited Georgia and Georgia Tech for games.
WR Antonio Goodwin, Washington: A lanky receiver (6-2, 170) with exceptional speed, Goodwin is the next in a line of big-time prospects from his school behind current Super 11 cornerback Branden Smith, Georgia safety Reshad Jones and Oklahoma All-America lineman Duke Robinson.
DT Jeffrey Whitaker, Warner Robins: The state’s best defensive tackle this year is Northside’s Abry Jones. Next year, it could be another player in the city of Warner Robins. Clemson, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee are among those who have made offers to Whitaker, a 6-3, 295-pound lineman. Strength is his calling card. He can squat more than 550 pounds.
CB Steven Atwater, GAC: His father, Steve Atwater Sr., was an All-Pro safety for the Denver Broncos. The son is a cornerback with the same hitter mentality but with more speed. He’s 5-10, 175. He has offers from Arkansas, his father’s alma mater, and Clemson.
S Alec Ogletree, Newnan: Ogletree got scholarship offers from LSU and Arkansas last week. He’s got about 15 in all. He’s a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder who could emerge as the top defensive prospect in Georgia next year. Others offers have come from Miami, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Clemson

Greater Atlanta Christian senior middle linebacker Blake Southerland, who committed to Vanderbilt in July, will be part of the 92,000 plus on-hand when Georgia hosts Central Michigan on Saturday.
Southerland, who also attended the Dogs’ home opener against Georgia Southern last weekend, learned months ago he won’t be offered a spot on Georgia’s roster in 2009.
But that hasn’t prevented the younger brother of Georgia fullback Brannan Southerland from soaking up the sights and sounds of Sanford Stadium as a recruit.
“[Georgia coaches] told me the week before spring practice that they weren’t going to offer,” said Southerland, who is listed as the 73rd-best inside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com. “At first, I was upset. But the more I thought about it, I realized I’d be able to get a fresh start and make a name for myself.
“Now, I can’t wait to experience everything at Vanderbilt. I can’t be happier than I am now.”
It took just two visits to Vanderbilt for the 6-foot-2, 230-pound Southerland to realize he was prepared to call Nashville home for the next four years.
“It’s not really one thing, it’s just everything in general. I love the place,” said Southerland a member of the AJC’s The Georgia Top 150.
“It’s small, but it has a big-time SEC feel about it.”
Southerland plans to attend Vanderbilt’s games against Auburn and Tennessee this fall.